The K-pop world is still buzzing from Melon’s official release of the 2025 Annual Chart on January 8, 2026. As Korea’s leading streaming platform, Melon’s year-end rankings based on unique listeners, streams, and downloads throughout 2025 offer the most authoritative snapshot of what truly resonated with fans. This year’s top 100 delivered surprises, viral breakthroughs, and powerful reminders of enduring legacies. While emerging talents and fresh releases made strong impacts, two names stood out for their sheer longevity: G-Dragon and BTS.
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In an era where trends shift overnight, G-Dragon’s commanding presence in Melon feels like a masterclass in icon status.
The BIGBANG leader, often hailed as the “King of K-Pop,” returned in late 2024 with solo material that instantly dominated conversations around G-Dragon comeback 2024 and G-Dragon new songs. His track “HOME SWEET HOME” featuring fellow BIGBANG members Taeyang and Daesung landed at No. 2, evoking nostalgia while proving the group’s chemistry remains unmatched. Even more impressive? “TOO BAD” featuring Anderson .Paak secured No. 10, showcasing GD’s global appeal and genre-blending prowess.
But the real story is deeper. G-Dragon placed multiple entries across the chart: “POWER” at No. 28, the timeless “Untitled, 2014” at No. 67, and “TAKE ME” at No. 74. That’s right a song from over a decade ago still drawing millions of unique listeners in 2025. Searches for G-Dragon Untitled 2014 and G-Dragon Power meaning have trended consistently on platforms like Naver, Daum, and even international engines, as new generations discover his discography. This isn’t just a comeback; it’s proof that G-Dragon’s influence transcends time.
After years focused on fashion, business, and personal growth, his 2024-2025 releases reminded everyone why he’s considered a pioneer. The BIGBANG reunion vibes in “HOME SWEET HOME” sparked endless discussions about BIGBANG comeback possibilities and G-Dragon Taeyang Daesung collaboration, fueling hope for more from the legendary group.
Meanwhile, BTS continues to rule the K-pop landscape in ways no other act can match, even without a full group album or comeback in 2025. The septet’s classic “Spring Day” from 2017 claimed No. 81 on the chart, marking its ninth consecutive year in Melon’s annual top 100. This quiet achievement speaks volumes amid ongoing searches for BTS reunion 2025, BTS military discharge updates, and BTS comeback 2026.
With members completing mandatory service and pursuing solo projects, the group hasn’t released collective music since 2022’s anthology album. Yet “Spring Day” a poignant ballad about loss and longing remains a streaming staple, often topping queries like BTS Spring Day lyrics and BTS emotional songs across YouTube, Spotify global charts, and Korean portals.
This longevity highlights BTS’s unparalleled cultural impact
In a year dominated by fourth and fifth-generation groups, an eight-year-old track outperforming many new releases underscores the ARMY’s dedication and the song’s universal resonance. Fans worldwide continue streaming it during personal milestones, seasonal changes, or simply for comfort, keeping it alive without any promotion. It’s a testament to BTS’s songwriting depth and emotional connection that songs like “Spring Day” endure while the world awaits their full return.
Of course, the chart’s No. 1 spot went to an unexpected victor: WOODZ’s “Drowning,” a 2023 B-side that exploded virally throughout 2025. The moody, introspective track captured the zeitgeist, topping searches for WOODZ Drowning lyrics and WOODZ viral song. Close behind G-Dragon’s entries, aespa’s empowering “Whiplash” took No. 3, solidifying their status as leaders of the next generation. Queries around aespa Whiplash performance and aespa concept 2025 dominated discussions, with the group’s futuristic sound earning multiple top placements.
Other highlights included Rosé’s global smash “APT.” with Bruno Mars at No. 7, still generating buzz from Rosé APT challenge trends and IVE’s anthemic “REBEL HEART” at No. 8. DAY6’s heartfelt “HAPPY” rounded out the top 10 at No. 9, reflecting the resurgence of band sounds in K-pop. Artists like QWER, NewJeans, and emerging acts filled the list with fresh energy, proving the industry’s depth.
Here’s the full top 10 for reference:
- WOODZ – “Drowning”
- G-Dragon – “HOME SWEET HOME” (feat. Taeyang, Daesung)
- aespa – “Whiplash”
- Hwang Karam – “I’m Firefly”
- ZO ZAZZ – “Don’t you know” (prod. ROCOBERRY)
- HUNTR/X – “Golden”
- Rosé, Bruno Mars – “APT.”
- IVE – “REBEL HEART”
- DAY6 – “HAPPY”
- G-Dragon – “TOO BAD” (feat. Anderson .Paak)
What makes Melon’s 2025 chart so fascinating is its blend of nostalgia and innovation. G-Dragon’s multi-decade dominance, spanning solo breakthroughs, BIGBANG eras, and recent triumphs shows that true artistry ages like fine wine. His ability to chart both new collaborations and classics from 2014 speaks to a catalog that’s endlessly rediscoverable. Similarly, BTS’s grip on listeners’ hearts without active group promotions reinforces their position as global standard-bearers. As members like Jin, J-Hope, and others return from service, anticipation builds for what’s next, but “Spring Day”‘s persistence proves they never really left.
For K-pop fans, this chart is more than numbers, it’s a celebration of resilience. Whether you’re streaming G-Dragon’s bold experiments, revisiting BTS’s emotional masterpieces, or discovering WOODZ’s hidden gems, 2025 reminded us that great music defies expiration dates. As we head into 2026, one thing is clear: legends like G-Dragon and BTS aren’t just surviving; they’re defining the future while honoring the past.
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